The newly renovated NYC Milburn Hotel, located in a cozy tree-lined residential neighbourhood,  consistently ranks in the top 10 lists of family hotels in New York, and its appeal can be summed up in three words - budget, family and location.  

Inspite of being located in a quiet and sedate section of the big city, the Milburn is conviniently accesible by bus, subway and taxi and minutes away from downtown Manhattan, the Theater District and Fifth Ave. shopping.

One bedroom suites for a full family are available for between $239 to $399 (taxes extra), and include wireless internet, a fully equipped kitchenette with microwave and refrigirator and stocked mini-bar, flat screen LCD television, cable TV, a VCR and CD player, hair dryer, iron/ironing board and coffee maker.

Includes a special VCD collection for kids and use of a heated swimming pool next to the hotel. Children under 12 are free. In addition to use of the kitchette, the hotel also offers a compimentary European style breakfast, discount access to a next door cafe which serves complimentary wine and Artisanal cheeses. Also included in the package is access to the New York Sports Club, along with overnight shoe shines.

What makes the Milburn hotel family friendly is not what it offers, but what it does not - A Times Square location, lots of swanky add-ons and gizmos in the rooms, a trendy bar with a crush of NYC patrons and hundreds of rooms (things which you normally associate with NYC hotels). The Milburn parleys the lack of these ‘NYC must-haves’ into an advantage with personalized service to the limited number of guests, low room rates and a peaceful stay on a quiet street insulated from the downtown rush and bedlam.

Even the decor has a certain understated charm with wide open spaces, soothing colors, solid furnishings and a homey feel, which certainly adds to the charm when you compare it the harsh edges, artsy cubicles and crazy multi-hued modern art adorning the walls of designer hotels.

Add to that the fact that the paint is still fresh, the bedsheets and carpets spotless and a host of new amneties and in-room services recently added after the renovation, and you have a pretty good deal if you want to explore New York with your family in a safe, comfortable and reasonable environment. In their own words, it’s a home away from home.

Info: The Milburn Hotel, 242 West 76th St, New York, NY 10023 (Btwn West End Ave. & Broadway); (212) 362-1006